Prime Minister Andy Burnham is preparing to pursue closer European ties at the UK-EU summit in Brussels on 20 November, promising lower costs and less paperwork for farmers and food businesses. But Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) chief executive, Nigel Jenney, has repeatedly highlighted a danger that those ambitions must address: additional barriers for essential fresh produce arriving from outside the EU. Farmers Guardian reports that food exports will be at the forefront of

Around 83 per cent of the fruit and vegetables consumed in the Republic of Ireland are imported, putting the future of domestic growing and the resilience of fresh produce supplies firmly in the spotlight. The estimate, highlighted by the Climate Change Advisory Council and reported by The Irish Times, comes as Ireland’s commercial vegetable grower numbers have fallen from more than 600 in the 1990s to fewer than 70. However, the import figure requires context. Bord Bia’s sen

Europe’s food systems remain among the world’s most resilient, but slowing agricultural productivity growth, rising input costs and climate pressures are threatening their long-term strength, according to new research. Economist Enterprise’s Resilient Food Systems Index, supported by Cargill, assesses 60 countries across affordability, availability, quality and safety, and responsiveness to climate risks. Its European report examines 14 countries, including the UK, Spain, Fra

Farming representatives will join a new Flood and Drought Resilience Taskforce as Defra seeks to improve preparations for extreme weather. The group is due to meet for the first time on Wednesday, 14 October 2026. Floods and Drought Minister Emma Hardy will bring together representatives from more than 50 organisations, including the Environment Agency, Met Office, mayoral authorities, emergency services and the farming, water and insurance sectors. Its opening meeting will a

The FPC chief executive has highlighted the risks to Britain’s global fresh produce supplies as industry leaders debate the consequences of a proposed UK-EU food agreement. Fresh Produce Consortium chief executive Nigel Jenney has put the protection of Britain’s global fresh produce supply chains at the centre of the Brexit reset debate, warning that closer ties with Europe must not penalise trade with the rest of the world. Speaking to iNews, which reported on Conservative p

Experts have urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to treat food shortages as a national security issue, with increased UK fruit and vegetable production among their priorities. An open letter delivered on 5 October warns that Britain is inadequately prepared for serious disruption to food supplies. Foodrise, which coordinated the initiative, reports more than 180 signatories, including academics, farmers and community food leaders. The signatories identify climate change, geopol

Norfolk fruit grower Place UK has warned of uncertainty over seasonal labour beyond 2030, highlighting the continuing dependence of British soft fruit production on overseas workers. Image: Place UK The Tunstead-based business employs around 700 people during the summer. Its fruit pickers are either Seasonal Worker visa holders or EU citizens with settled status, while approximately 85 per cent of workers staying on-site this year had previously worked at the farm. Co-managin

From outstanding emerging talent to pioneering businesses and the retailers winning shoppers’ loyalty, the FPC Fresh Awards 2026 made a powerful case for being the industry’s most impactful celebration yet. Held at JW Marriott Grosvenor House, London, on Friday 25 September, this year’s awards put the people and businesses shaping fresh produce, flowers and plants firmly in the spotlight. Their significance extended beyond the trophies: the winners offered practical examples

Knowledge, personal service and a commitment to their communities make independent greengrocers an essential part of Britain’s food landscape. Carrolls Greengrocers’ success at the FPC Fresh Awards 2026 has given that contribution a deserved national spotlight. A great greengrocer offers something special: a conversation about what is in season, advice on choosing fruit at its best, or a suggestion that turns an unfamiliar vegetable into tonight’s supper. These everyday excha

UK shoppers place particular importance on British provenance when buying fresh food like fruits and vegetables but new research suggests that retailers and brands could do more to communicate exactly what ‘British’ means at the point of purchase to turn sentiment into sales. Image: Savvy In a survey of 1,002 UK shoppers, 83% said Britishness matters to them to at least some extent when buying food and drink, according to Savvy’s Shopper Panel, July 2026. However, only 34% sa

A.H. Worth is continuing its focus on innovation and workforce development, with the launch of its red kale at Tesco coinciding with recognition for its employee engagement programme at last week’s FPC Fresh Awards 2026. Image: A.H. Worth The Lincolnshire vegetable grower has returned its red kale to Tesco shelves following a successful trial last year in a bid to inspire shoppers to explore the brassica category. The premium variety is now available exclusively under the T

New government funding for 45 English local authorities could create opportunities for mobile greengrocers, community food shops, and other fresh produce initiatives in areas with high levels of deprivation and childhood obesity. Almost £10 million is being invested by the government to improve access to healthy and affordable food across some of England’s most disadvantaged communities. Under the new Good Food Neighbourhoods programme, 45 local authorities will each receive

Aldi is set to invest a record £900 million in Britain next year as it accelerates its UK expansion, strengthens supplier relationships and continues to grow its fresh food offer. The announcement comes just days after the supermarket was crowned Multiple Fruit & Veg Retailer of the Year at the FPC Fresh Awards 2026, held at JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London on Friday 25 September. The prestigious award was decided by a public vote, with Aldi emerging as the clear consume

A new report argues that the UK pays a vast price for unhealthy diets. The Fresh Produce Consortium says making fruit and vegetables more accessible will also depend on protecting the global supply routes that bring them to Britain. Unhealthy diets are estimated to cost the UK £298 billion a year through healthcare, social care, welfare payments, lost productivity and reduced quality of life, according to a new Food, Farming and Countryside Commission report. That is £30 bill

Asda has agreed a ten-year deal worth approximately £250 million with Len Wright Salads, extending a supplier relationship that has lasted more than 35 years. The agreement, valued at around £25 million a year through to 2036, is intended to secure long-term supply for the retailer while giving the Lancashire business greater confidence to invest in British growing, staff, facilities and technology. The £250 million is the stated value of the supply agreement over its lifetim

Hall Hunter Partnership has been named Fresh Produce Business of the Year and Graham Young has received the Lifetime Achievement Award, as the FPC Fresh Awards 2026 celebrated outstanding achievement across the fresh produce, cut flower and plant industries. The winners were announced at JW Marriott Grosvenor House, London, on Friday 25 September. From emerging talent and industry-leading teams to growers, suppliers, innovators and retailers, this year’s winners show the skil

Tesco has committed £20 million to give emerging food and agritech businesses a potential route into one of the UK’s largest food supply chains, with fresh produce already among the targets. Image: Tesco The UK’s largest retailer has become the anchor investor in Henry Dimbleby’s new Bramble Fund I, which is targeting £100m of capital to back businesses developing practical innovations that make food healthier, more sustainable, and more affordable. To speed up change across

Growing interest in provenance, seasonality and resilient supply chains across NHS catering could create new opportunities for British fresh produce suppliers. The NHS is one of the UK’s largest foodservice providers, serving millions of meals every year. Its purchasing decisions therefore have the potential to influence demand for domestically produced food across the supply chain. The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board has contributed to the third edition of The

Asda is making a fresh move into Britain’s £50 billion convenience sector, with a new wholesale model that could see its own-label, chilled and fresh food ranges appearing in independently operated stores. The supermarket has launched Asda Convenience, a format designed specifically for independent retailers, with an initial three-store trial in Scotland in partnership with convenience operator One-O-One. Unlike Asda Express, which is owned and run by Asda, the new stores wil

UK consumers are protecting their purchases of fresh fruits and vegetables amid widespread pressure on household finances, according to a new report, as freshness, quality, and health remain top priority. Although UK households are cutting back on their overall grocery purchases, fresh produce appears to be one of the categories most protected from the squeeze, finds new research from the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA). Its 2026 survey of 751 UK consumers foun

UK grocery price inflation edged higher in early September, adding further pressure to household budgets as shoppers continued to seek out promotions and prioritise essential purchases. Like-for-like grocery inflation reached 2.3% in the four weeks to 6 September, up from 2.1% in the previous month, according to Worldpanel by Numerator. Although the rate increased, Worldpanel described inflation as relatively subdued and significantly below the levels recorded earlier in the

Britain’s office workers are rediscovering the packed lunch as rising food-to-go prices push more people towards homemade meals — creating fresh opportunities for retailers across salads, vegetables and convenient meal-preparation ingredients. Nearly half of UK professionals, 46%, are taking a packed lunch to work more frequently than they did a year ago, according to data from Ocado reported by Talking Retail. Financial pressures are driving much of the change. Some 69% of r

Veg Power and The Food Foundation have joined forces to launch a nationwide campaign helping families maintain healthy diets as rising food costs continue to squeeze household budgets. The Eat Well for Less initiative offers practical advice for making affordable, nutritious and filling foods — including fruit, vegetables, beans and pulses — a regular part of everyday meals. Developed in consultation with Felix, Hubbub’s Community Fridge Network, Feeding Britain, The Bread an

Fresh fruit and vegetables are set to play a much greater role in school meals under what the Government has described as the biggest shake-up of food standards in England’s schools for more than a decade. The new standards will come into effect from September 2027, subject to parliamentary approval, although secondary schools will have an additional year to implement some measures. Under the revised framework, every main meal will need to include vegetables or salad, either

UK food prices are expected to remain under significant pressure through 2027, as the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) warns that the cost of a weekly supermarket shop could reach nearly £150 by next summer. A combination of high energy costs, extreme weather, and rising regulatory costs are prolonging the difficult outlook with fruit and vegetable prices already experiencing some of the biggest cost increases this year, reports The Telegraph. The FDF forecasts that food infla

Red berry grape brand Boombites is being introduced to the UK market to attract non-grape buyers, re-engage lapsed consumers, and to provide an additional tier for existing grape buyers, following a successful trial of the antioxidant-rich fruit last summer. Available exclusively at M&S, Ocado, and Tesco for a limited period, the ‘superfruit’ grapes are being positioned within the natural snacking category and differentiated from conventional grapes on account of their strik

British adults are expanding the range of vegetables that they consume as rising awareness of fibre, gut health, and dietary variety shapes a significant emerging consumer trend, supported by social media. During the last five years, the proportion of consumers achieving the recommended ‘30 plants a week’ has doubled, indicates data from HelloFresh, and reported by Grocery Gazette. The research suggests that plant diversity is becoming increasingly embedded in everyday food c

Fewer than half of British consumers trust the information displayed on food labels, according to new research highlighting widespread confusion among shoppers. A survey of 2,000 British adults conducted by Soil Association Certification found that only 44 percent trusted food labels. More than half of respondents, 53 percent, described the information presented on labels as overwhelming, suggesting that the growing number of claims, symbols and certification marks is making

The growing cost of food is changing how younger consumers shop for groceries in the UK, with new research indicating that Gen Z is increasingly cutting back on food purchases and buying from different supermarkets. Some 33% of Gen Z consumers, those born between 1997 and 2012, said they are skipping meals or eating less because of the increase in food prices, according to a survey by cashback app tuck, and reported by The Mirror. That compares with 19% of consumers overall,

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has promised to help households with the cost of living while taking a cautious approach to the public finances, as the fresh produce sector seeks assurances that future tax and trade decisions will not add further costs to Britain's food supply chains. Speaking during a visit to Kyiv, Burnham acknowledged the "challenging nature of the financial outlook" and said the Government would approach its decisions "prudently and carefully". He stopped sho

Shoppers are refusing to choose between convenience, health and value, creating a significant opportunity for fresh produce businesses that can deliver all three, according to new consumer research. Britain’s food shoppers are becoming increasingly flexible in what they buy, balancing busy lifestyles and household budgets with a growing interest in freshness, nutrition and how food is produced. A new whitepaper from brand and innovation agency cobolt studio suggests that conv

Expectations of a sharp acceleration in UK food inflation following the latest surge in energy costs have so far failed to materialise, with intense supermarket competition and tighter cost management helping retailers and suppliers to absorb much of the pressure. The food industry warned earlier this year that higher energy costs linked to the conflict in Iran could drive food price inflation up to 10% by Christmas. Instead, annual inflation for food and non-alcoholic bever

The Fresh Produce Consortium has thrown its full weight behind keeping Britain's global fresh produce supply open and affordable — and it's asking the industry to help finish the job. Its interactive UK-EU Reset Action Pack, now live, gives every business a fast, practical way to make its voice heard before decisions are locked in. Few issues cut closer to the heart of what this industry does every day than the UK-EU Reset. Behind the policy language sits a simple question: w

New Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged to “bring back hope” to Britain as he unveiled his first Cabinet and promised swift action to ease pressure on household finances. Addressing the country after succeeding Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street, Burnham acknowledged that many people had become frustrated with politics and said the Government needed to improve its ability to deliver meaningful change. His opening priorities are expected to include a fully funded cost-of-l